Laos electrochemical energy storage power plant operation

What is the main energy source in Lao PDR?

Hydropower is the major energy source for electricity production in the Lao PDR. Petroleum supply also increased rapidly at an average of 8.5% per year. Since the power sector does not use oil products, most of the increased demand came from the transport sector. The Lao PDR exports most of its electricity products to Thailand.

How much electricity does Lao PDR export?

As there were many power plants in Lao PDR generating electricity for export in 2019, the export figure reached 25,048 gigawatt-hours (GWh) or equivalent to 2.15 Mtoe. This amounted to more than half of all electricity consumed in the country and 77% of total hydropower generation.

Which power plants are in Lao PDR?

In 2019, hydropower accounted for 59.7% of total generation and the Hongsa Plant accounted for 38.4%, with the remaining 0.2% coming from solar and biomass. Hydropower is forecasted to continue to dominate Lao PDR’s power sector, accounting for 62.1% of total generation by 2050, while the Hongsa Plant's share is projected at 30.9%.

Why is Hongsa power plant a major energy source in Lao PDR?

The Hongsa power plant was constructed only for export purposes to Thailand. The second-highest growth during 2000−2015 was hydropower at 9.8% per year. Hydropower is the major energy source for electricity production in the Lao PDR. Petroleum supply also increased rapidly at an average of 8.5% per year.

How much coal does Lao PDR use?

In the same year, Lao PDR consumed 4.5 Mtoe of coal, mainly in thermal power plants such as the Hongsa Thermal Power Plant, the country’s first and largest coal power plant, which began operating in 2015. Thus, coal demand increased sharply from 2015 onwards.

Does the Lao PDR trade electricity with Thailand?

The Lao PDR has been trading electricity with Thailand for many decades; and now it expands this policy to other neighbouring countries to support regional energy cooperation. Particularly, the Lao PDR will increase power exports to 15,000 MW by 2030 – 10,000 MW to Thailand and 5,000 MW to Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Myanmar.